Calculation of the 12C + 12C sub-barrier fusion cross section in an imaginary-time-dependent mean field theory

The C-12 + C-12 sub-barrier fusion cross section is calculated within the framework of a time-dependent HartreeFock-based classical model using the Feynman path-integral method. The modified astrophysical S* factor is compared to direct and indirect experimental results. A good agreement with the direct data is found. In the lower-energy region where recent analyses of experimental data obtained with the Trojan horse method (THM) lead to contrasting results, the model predicts a nonresonant S* factor half-way between those results. Low-energy resonances revealed in the THM data are added to the calculation, and the relative reaction rate in the Gamow region is calculated. In particular, including 0(+) resonances result in some agreement with the THM data. The role of different resonances is discussed in detail, and their influence on the reaction rate at temperatures relevant to stellar evolution is investigated.